Environmental Health versus Economic Health?

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s belated release of the depressing State of the Environment Report (SOE) has certainly received a lot of media attention. However, while the revelation of the environment’s dire situation seems to have come as a surprise to many, that certainly wasn’t the case with those more closely involved with environmental matters.

Evidence of the collapse of ecological systems is everywhere across the globe, and the ruthless slashing of all services and programs relating to climate change action here in Australia by the previous government, certainly contributed. The fact that the former environment minister, Sussan Ley, refused to release that report, indicates that the coalition agrees. 

Now, with a new government in Canberra, and a huge increase in cross-bench representation elected on a platform of climate change action and integrity in government, there is a feeling of hope. Hope for an end to the politicising of environmental issues.

However, after Ms Plibersek addressed the National Press Gallery, describing the SOE report as “shocking”, the Opposition Shadow assistant Climate Minister, Hollie Hughes, has certainly dampened that hope, commenting that: Tanya Plibersek “doesn’t really understand the first thing about agriculture in our country, let alone support mining”. Clearly, the coalition’s stance remains unchanged. 

That comment also highlights the opposition’s apparent belief that because farming and mining are crucial to our way of life and economic growth, that they should be exempted from any ecological responsibility.

The old adage, that “there’s no economy (or life for that matter) on a dead planet, is far more than a “greenie” slogan, it is fact, and what we are doing collectively, not only miners and farmers, is so far beyond unsustainable, that a dead planet is inevitable.

It’s clear that we all have a responsibility to help reverse this trend. It won’t come without sacrifice, but for the sake of future generations we must work together to heal the political divide that has, until now, seen any move to protect our environment hamstrung before it starts.

We CAN do this.

John Edwards